Plunder case filed against Ampatuans

Manila: Seven relatives of the 58 victims of last year's elections-related massacre in the southern Philippines filed a plunder case yesterday against 25 members of a powerful political family that is being tried for the heinous crime.

"We filed a 200 million pesos [Dh16.58 million] plunder case against Andal Ampatuan Sr and his family members under the assumption that the properties they have amassed did not come from the family coffers alone. There is a presumption that their properties were ill-gotten," lawyer Romel Bagares said.

The lawyer said the Ampatuans have 35 houses in Davao City, a mansion in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao, and 56 luxury vehicles.

The salary of Ampatuan Sr as governor of Maguindanao would not be enough for him to amass the identified family-owned assets and properties, Bagares said.

Respondent

Andal Ampatuan Jr, identified as the prime suspect in the murder of 58 people on November 23, 2009, was also a respondent in the plunder case. He was a former mayor of Datu Unsay in the south.

Ramonita Salaysay, Editha Tiamzon, Juliet Evardo, Ma. Cipriana Gatchalian, Arlyn Lupogan, Catherine Nunez and Myrna Reblando, relatives of some of the 57 victims, filed the plunder case.

"The estimated value of the alleged ill-gotten wealth, at 200 million pesos, might be too small," sources said, adding that the Ampatuans have been a powerful political family in the south for decades.

Last November's massacre was allegedly masterminded by the Ampatuan patriarch, implemented by his junior, and approved by all family members.